A connection on the discharge side of the fire pump routes water out of the system through a test header which carries an array of hosevalves. All exposed services standard with polished finish. Pump test flow measuring device in a bypass routed back to the house tank. Refer to pump gpm requirement and adjust throttle valve to meet the requirement. Polished chrome, stainless steel plate with red engraved lettering. Can you pump into a test header on a fire pump to feed the system. The standard will now require that associated plans be drawn to an. A fire pump is designed to increase water pressure. A test porttest header is the most common method for testing fire system. Fire pump tester software fpt allows fire protection contractors, fire.
Size the fire pump test header based on the fire pump rating per nfpa 20. Where a fire pump test header is installed, nfpa 20 requires that it be. The fire pump flow test is required by nfpa 25 to be conducted once a year in order to measure the pump s flow and pressure. A jockey pump, a small portion of a fire pumps control system, maintains pressure within the sprinkler system piping to an artificially high level. Cadbim library of blocks fire pump detail cad forum. It meets the nfpa 1901 class a pump rating test and iso requirements for annual pump or service test. Custom assemblies are available, please consult dixon. This test typically involves attaching hoses to an exterior manifold, turning on the fire pump, and measuring the resulting water pressure and flow rate. Test port a test port test header is the most common method for testing fire system performance. A test header allows for the flowing of large quantities of water through multiple hoses. Fire pump test header sizing nfpa fire code issues.
It is assumed that the reader has a basic understanding of the use of fire pumps, fire pump installation requirements, and the role of nfpa in establishing these requirements. The pump manufacturer shall furnish piping accessory items for the pump installation which will adapt the pump connections to the fire protection system and test connection as follows. Pressure readings are taken as the pump is run through its. Cad forum cadbim library of free blocks fire pump detail. Custom assemblies are available, please consult dixon to order. Mobile fire rescue department bureau of fire prevention fire code administration 2851 old shell road mobile, al 36607 251 2087484 diesel driven pump. Report of inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire pump. Each outlet capable of a minimum flow of 250 gallon 946 liter per minute. A fire pump and tank with a selfcontained water supply can be used either to supplement. Fpt eliminates the need for users to perform complicated tasks such as calculating flowrates, calculating performance corrected flow, and graphing flow. If a duplex system 2 fire pumps is activated the duty pump will be activated as no. Potter roemer provides a freestanding connection where up to three pump tests can be performed.
Fpt eliminates the need for users to perform complicated tasks such as calculating flowrates, calculating performance corrected flow, and graphing flow curves. How to do effective fire standpipe testing facilities. Sep 28, 2015 inspection, testing and maintenance of fire pump 1. Cast iron hose manifolds are used for fire pump testing and provide hose outlets for flow testing of the fire pump. Fire pump testing solutions at our location or yours our commitment to service at sunbelt fire, we understand the critical mission in having your fire pump in perfect operating condition. It does not matter if it is just a quick 1hour annual nfpa pump test or a 4 hour nfpa test. The fdny, nfpa 25 and your fire insurance company all require monthly nonflow testing of fire pumps, known as the churn test in this test the qualified tester looks at the supply water gauge going to the pump 50 psi and looks at the water gauge on the system side of the pump discharge 150 psi in this example it means that the pump has added 100 psi to the water. The fire pump shall be factory tested and certified in accordance with nfpa 20. Pump test outlet connection fire protection potter roemer.
Fire pump accessories shall be approved for domestic water use. Fire pump inspection checklist your fire pump is the heart of your fire protection system a booster pump reinforces the public water supply when the public water main cannot provide the volume or pressure needed to supply an automatic sprinkler system. The annual fire pump test will flow anywhere between 500 and 1,500 gpm, which is a lot of water to flow around the building. Fire pump testing hose valve manifold vs flow meter this week we embark on a twopart segment where well cover fire pump testing, comparing the advantages and disadvantages of two different methods of testing water flow during a fire pump test.
Mar 05, 2015 a jockey pump, a small portion of a fire pumps control system, maintains pressure within the sprinkler system piping to an artificially high level. Cad blocks and files can be downloaded in the formats dwg, rfa, ipt, f3d. Im currently working on a project where i need to size the test header for a gpm pump. This can be accomplished by opening the petcock valve on the sensing line just prior to where it enters the controller. This allows the engine to establish a running speed. In recent editions of nfpa 25, the requirements for noflow churn test frequencies have changed for electric motor driven fire pumps only.
The hoses are run to a safe location where the flow of water will cause no damage. Before starting the test, only the personnel necessary for the test should be in the vicinity of the hoses and pump. The most recent addition to claval line of top quality fire protection products includes test headers for commercial structures. With over 30 years of experience is proud to be the premier supplier of fire pump products in the united states. Fire pump test header inside building nfpa fire code.
Nolan fire pump system testing 2585 millennium drive. If you are a building owner or facilities manager and you have a sprinkler system being supplied by a fire pump, it is your legal responsibility to maintain your equipment and keep it in proper working order. Proper standpipe system flow testing involves multiple fire hoses and thousands of gallons of water. Test header flow meter city bypass talco fire systems. The firepump controllers monitor the operation status and in the case of fire, the controller will receive a signal from the pressure switch and start the firepump. Geosystems usa 2435 dillard st grand prairie, tx 75051 866 5220396 toll free 972 5220396 phone 972 6029657 fax contact form. Failure of a fire pump to operate under fire conditions can result in a major loss. Cast iron hose manifolds are used for fire pump testing and provide hose outlets for flow testing of the. Can you pump into a test header on a fire pump to feed the. Nfpa 25 stipulates a number of fire pump inspections and tests, including quarterly. They provide a means to flow test a fire pump or backflow preventer. Fire pumps taking suction from ground level tanks or a water source that does not provide sufficient pressure to be of material value without the pump.
Early spring is the perfect time of year for a fire pump testwith the risk of freezing temperatures behind us, theres no potential for a flow test to turn into an icy hazard. Provide a fire pump test header with a 212 hose valve for every 250 gpm of the rated flow of the fire pump per nfpa 20. Every fire pump needs a method of testing to verify it is functioning properly. Diesel engine driven fire pumps have always been required to run weekly for 30 minutes. The function of the fire pump bypass is to supply water to the fire protection system if the pump is taken out of service, does not start or something gets lodged in the pump. Test headers and waste cones geothermal and fire protection. Regular testing required one thing is certain fire pumps all types and sizes must be tested regularly, preferably by automatic start most of the time, but also by manual start occasionally. Fire pump test header sizing fire pump test header sizing rolland1 mechanical op 4 aug 10 10. The fire pump flow test is required by nfpa 25 to be conducted once a year in order to measure the pumps flow and pressure. Fire pump flow tests are usually done through a special pump test header.
The annual pump test actually consists of six separate tests. Each valve is capable of flowing around 300gpm, the actual number of valves required for a given flow is stipulated in nfpa20. Threeway freestanding fire pump test connections potter. The bypass needs to be arranged in a manner that allows water to flow through the bypass while the fire pump suction and discharge control valves are closed. The test should be performed by attaching hoses to the discharge test header. The fire department connection fdc allows the fire department to supplement the fire protection. Report of inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire pump pump id. Fire pump tester software fpt allows fire protection contractors, fire protection engineers, and building managers to collect fire pump test data in a professional and comprehensive format. Fire pump testing nfpa fire pump testing requirements. One of the more common methods is the use of a test header arrangement.
If a test header is used, connect the playpipes with nozzles and hose lines to the pump test header. Fire pump test meters gerand engineering additional fm approved pump gpmline size combinations listed on front dual lpmgpm scales. Adjusting water flow through the test header with the test header control valve typically a 610 inch valve is. Size the test header to be able to flow 150% of pump flow with this discharge pressure you calculated. On some projects, the commissioning agent may wish to witness the shop test. Manifolds for 3000 through 5000 gpm ratings consist of multiple sections and may require support by others. Inspection, testing and maintenance of fire pump 1. Model 5869 sixway freestanding fire pump test connections. Test port a test porttest header is the most common method for testing fire system performance. Fire pump inspection testing and maintenance the hanover.
If a duplex system 2 firepumps is activated the duty pump will be activated as no. This can be accomplished by opening the petcock valve. To help ensure the fire or booster pump is working, there needs to be periodic inspection, maintenance and testing of the pump. Standard for the installation of stationary pumps for fire protection. Water is flowed out of the system through a hosevalveheader picture, left and the flow is measured with a calibrated pitot tube. Certified shop test curves showing head capacity and brake horsepower of the pump shall be furnished by the manufacturer to the purchaser. Anyone have any thoughts on installing a test header for a gpm pump inside the building where the hoses will need to be run into a corridor, and out a door fire pump test header inside building nfpa fire code issues engtips. Nfpa 202007 allows the designer to hydraulically size the pipe for the test header art.
The fire pump flow test is a vital annual requirement to ensure that the. Sample annual fire pump test fire department attendee. That way, when an appreciable drop occurs, the fire pumps automatic controller can easily detect it and start up the pump. Fire pumps are used to ensure an adequate water supply by increasing pressure for fire suppression and, as such, are an integral part of the fire protection system for a facility. A connection on the discharge side of a fire pump system for use in testing system performance. Title of person running test signature of person running test fire department fire apparatus service or acceptance test one 50 secton of 2. The fire pump header control valve should be closed and drain valve open. Apr 24, 2001 fire pump flow tests are usually done through a special pump test header. Schedule annual fire pump inspections to confirm your fire pump is working and ready for action should an unforeseen disaster strike. The fire pump controllers monitor the operation status and in the case of fire, the controller will receive a signal from the pressure switch and start the fire pump.
Water is flowed out of the system through a hosevalve header picture, left and the flow is measured with a calibrated pitot tube. Dixon offers grooved, flanged and threaded steel bodies for the fire protection market. Fire pump test header sizing nfpa fire code issues engtips. The annual fire pump flow test can identify deterioration of the fire pump or impairments. You will need the following fire pump testing equipment. To the minimum suction pressure, add 65% of the rated tdh total dynamic head of the pump that is the minimum discharge pressure.
Fire pump testing hose valve manifold vs flow meter. This test is to be used annually to test fire apparatus that has a fire pump with 250 gpm or larger capacity or if the pump andor engine on the apparatus have been repaired or modified. Flush test header connections are designed for flush installation on the exterior wall. The pump intake and discharge piping must be capable of flowing the required volume to which the pump will add the needed pressure for fire protection.